"Maradona was a great player but he only had a left foot and wasn't a renowned header of the ball," Pele said.

"Messi is almost a copy of him. That's why I think Neymar has the capacity to be better."

Pele, widely regarded as the greatest player in history, scored 1,284 goals in a career that spanned from 1956 to 1977.

Neymar, 20, has scored 133 times in three seasons with Santos.

Asked if Neymar could be better than him, Pele replied: "It's difficult to say but it won't be easy for him. He is an exceptional player but at times he has shown that he is not mature enough yet to take on certain responsibilities."